OHSU fires caretaker for striking pig in 2012

Please contact Dr. Robert Gibbens to insist that the USDA PUNISH
Oregon Health and Science University with issue a major fine for
intentionally abusing a pig, and many previous Animal Welfare Action
violations during 2014.

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN 6) — An animal caretaker was fired by Oregon
Health & Science University more than a year and a half after being seen
striking a pig that was later used for testing.

The incident, which happened in April 2012, was not reported by the
hospital until 22 months later, in February 2014. As a result, staff in
the Department of Comparative Medicine (DCM) are being retrained, and
policies are under review.

The official complaint, filed October 1 by animal rights group Stop
Animal Exploitation Now Executive Director Michael Budkie, calls for a
$10,000 fine.

“We find it very disturbing that OHSU staff apparently withheld this
information for approximately 1 ¾ years before reporting it,” the
complaint reads.

“We believe that this must indicate that either OHSU staff are afraid
to report animal welfare concerns or this incident was deliberately
hidden.”

Timeline of reports

A February 26, 2014 report of noncompliance from OHSU Senior Vice
President for Research Daniel Dorsa to the Office of Laboratory Animal
Welfare, the federal department that oversees animal testing, was
included in the complaint filed by SAEN.

The letter reports “mishandling of a swine and incomplete follow-up
to the incident.” The report states the item was received by OHSU’s
Research Integrity Office via an anonymous note on December 26, 2013,
more than a year and a half after the incident.

The report states the anonymous note said the animal care worker, who
worked in OHSU’s DCM, was seen striking the pig April 13, 2012, and
blood was later seen in its cage.

The caretaker’s actions and the observation of blood were reported to
supervisors the day of the incident, but a veterinary check was not
submitted for the pig, the report states.

Daily health check records indicated the pig was “bright, alert and
responsive,” according to the report.

New protocol

“DCM conducted a prompt internal investigation, and the animal
caretaker was suspended and then terminated from OHSU,” the letter
states.

However, it remains unclear exactly when the staffer was fired. The
IUAC was made aware of the incident at a scheduled meeting January 15,
2014.

Following the meeting, the committee identified three corrective
actions.

Develop a system to promptly notify IACUC of “all DCM issues
that may significantly impact animal welfare”

Review all DCM procedures relevant to the incident

Retrain staff on their responsibilities related to veterinary
checks and animal welfare concerns.

In response to a request for comment, OHSU said they are aware of the
incident and are looking into it.